see also National Archives' youtube channel version, 1080p and without that timecode overlay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrrGaPnOqng

I failed to find the exact NAID of this item in the catalog though, sorry, maybe someone can try again following the video description.

hello,

first and foremost, thank you for uploading this footage. Second of all, I'm working on a documentary, and I would like to use some of this footage, is there anyway I could be 100% certain that this is public domain?

Thank you!

Thank you for this.

My Dad built runways in the Philippines and New Guinea for B-17's, P-38's and P-39 Aircobras. One of the few who had even seen a P-39.

My brother-in-laws Dad flew B-29's and one of my past co-workers Dad flew the Hump and Berlin Airlift. I knew or had the privilege of meeting them.

I miss talking to them all.

Thanks

Very rarely mentioned in the history of the bombing of Japan is the fact that after the P-51s established air superiority over the Japanese mainland, General LeMay sent out B-29s to four Japanese cities at a time to drop leaflets telling the residents that their city had been targeted and they had 24 hours to evacuate. Then while the Japanese air defenses were scattered to cover these four cities, he would bomb two of them. I can't think of any other occurrence in modern warfare in which the attackers went so far out of the way to give the civilian population that much warning, except for Sherman's march through Georgia.

Or, as I like to put it, "What was the difference between Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay and Major General William Tecumseh Sherman? 30,000 feet, 300 miles per hour, and the enemy civilians chose to ignore LeMay's warnings!"

The Allied effort to stop the war by any means should never be forgotten or frowned upon by today's standards or thinking that there were more 'humane' ways...I hear or read a lot of folks saying...'why didn't they just surround the Japanese Islands with submarines'...like starving to death and waiting around is better. Folks forget that the Imperial Japanese Army had over a million men in China STILL on the march an China WAS an Ally. Get over it people.

600 planes with 11 men each flying in harm's way. That doesn't begin to count the men in the Navy. Around 800 men died through the sinking of the Indianapolis at the end of July into early August of 1945. During WW II on average, we were losing more than 300 dead every day. One can easily comprehend the thinking pattern to end the war . . . NOW! While my father was to be part of the invasion of Japan, I am pleased to have been allowed to be born and thank the men of the Army Air Corps that helped end the war so I could live.

First off, great stuff, Being able to see items of history like this in our own homes still amazes me.
A special thanks to all my fellow vets out there, especially to those that paid hard coin.

I just want to expand on the last bomb theme. There were significant Naval assets off the coast of Japan after the Battle of Okinawa. My father was XO of VBF-85 on the USS Shangri-La. They blew up everything that the high altitude fellows couldn't hit.

From his diary during his time on the Shang:

"Jack Dunn was shot down on 15 Aug. 1945 at Kashima seaplane base and landed successfully on Kasumigaura Lake. After he was hit, and before he landed, Flight Leaders were ordered to return home. Possible prisoner.
-The War Was Over-"

It is noted later that he was recovered, unlike many of VBF-85, including two of my father's roommates.
My mom, who did "work" for the OSS, often said; "People today have no idea how close we came to losing that war."

Oh, and I know it's the title of the film, but that doesn't make it right.
cheers ^^

40 years ago i was on Guam doing the same job as an bomb/nav tech with the 9 th A.F. when we finished the people of Viet Nam wanted no more of the B 52's or an arclight mission..My dad was on Guam during ww2 giving them hell..passed it on to my watch. Rip dad..

Let us not ever forgetever the sacrifices made by these men.

I am honored to be an American and to have had the privilege to serve in the USAF.

MSgt Retired
AFSC: 1C5 (former 276) Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator

Absolutley awesome! What a proud example of America’s greatest generation, every single one of those great Americans involved in WW-2 deserve every bit of thanks we can offer them.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to view this wonderful historical film

This is the best documentary that I have had the opportunity to watch. I love history and the preservation of our country's heritage. This is something the schools do not teach anymore and soon will be forgotten if we don't keep the spirit alive. Thank you very much for a beautiful presentation.

EZ Money

thanks for having this available. being the history buff that i am it was fascinating and extremely informative. keep them comming.